Mayor Backs Fire Chief, Billion-Dollar Infrastructure Plan

Kansas City Mayor Sly James proposed a bold program to renovate and replace crumbling infrastructure and declining neighborhoods in his budget recommendations yesterday.

James said it was time to "stop kicking the can of infrastructure... down the street."

The mayor wants to issue $100 million in bonds each year for ten years to finance the billion dollar project. Paying for the bonds would cost middle-class property owners about $75 a year.

James came down against cuts in the number of firefighters, saying instead the fire chief should determine how to cut 7 ½ million in spending.

When the mayor completed his budget remarks he was greeted with applause, an unusual response to a budget statement by a mayor.

Further details are available from the Kansas City Star.